Please could someone assist me with an electrical ignition problem?
I have just purchased a 1980 450SL which has been stood outside for 2 years. It will turn over ok, but there is no spark from the coil whilst cranking, however as the key is reliesed from the cranking position back to 'ignition on' position, I get one spark from the coil as it stops cranking. (I saw this as I tried cranking with a timing light between the coil and the distributer.) The battery is good.
One thing I noticed was that one or the ceramic resistors which is attached to the red wire from the ignition module is cracked, but there is still continuity accross it. Also, the same red wire and it's black accompanying wire from the ignition module appear to have become hot at some point and melted slightly. Do you think this could be a cause of the problem, or it this just a red herring?
Any ideas would be much appreciated.